Operating means



Dec. 29,. 1925.

. A. H. STEBBINS OPERATING MEANS 7 Filed Nov 5. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Dec. 29, 1925- A., H. STEBBINS OPERATING MEANS Filed Nov. 5. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOk/VEY Patented Dec. 29, E925.

f1 airs sr ALBERT H. STEIBBINS, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

OPERATING MEANS.

Application filed November 5, 1924. Serial No. 747,933.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT H. S'rnenms, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented an Improvement in Operating Means, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to vibratory means for operating screens and other forms of separators employing a vibratory movement.

The operating means of the present invention is designed more particularly for use upon the inclined type of screen or separator that utilizes a slope to advance the materials along the screen or separating surface. The vibratory movement serves to dislodge particles from the mesh of the screen, break up the lump and to bring the various particles into contact with the screening surface.

One important feature of the present invention resides in a material treating frame that is mounted upon resilient supporting means for movement toward and from its supporting base, and in means for forcing the frame toward the base and then releasing it to spring away from the base so that it will impart an up-throw movement to the materials being treated.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the operating means by which an out-of-step movement is imparted to the opposite sides of the frame so that the operating pull is exerted upon first one side of the frame and then the other to promote distribution of the materials laterally over the screening or separating surface.

Other features of the invention and novel combination of parts in addition to the above will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one good practical form thereof.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a screen provided with operating means constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the screen and operating means of Fig. 1, but showing a different supporting base for supporting the screen at a steep inclination.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View showing one end of the operating shaft and two angularly disposed eccentrics; an

Fig. 5 is an end view of the eccentric shaft, the threaded not receiving end being omitted.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a supporting base is provided which may c0ns1st of longitudinally extending beams 10 connected by transversely extending braces 11. Upon the supporting base is yieldingly mounted a screen or separator 12 which may be variously constructed and is shown as having longitudinally extending side walls 13 and a floor 14: which extends across the screen from one side wall to the other. The present screen is shown as having an upper screening surface 15 and a lower screening surface 16, each of which is secured to the sides 13 of the screen by any appropriate means. The materials to be treated are delivered to the screen by the hopper 17 positioned at one end thereof. The coarse materials that do not pass thru the upper screen surface 15 are dis charged at one end thru the spout 18. The particles that fail to pass thru the second screen surface 16 are discharged from. the spout 19 and the fine particles that fall upon the floor 14 of the screen are discharged thru the spout 20.

As stated the operating means of the present invention serves to force the screen or separator 12 downwardly towards the supporting base and then release it to spring upwardly under the action of the yielding support for the screen. The yielding support may be variously constructed and in the present case consists of coiled springs 21, four being shown, two at each side of the screen. The lower ends of these springs rest upon and are secured tothe supporting base and the upper ends of the springs rest against and are secured to transversely extending bars 22 which are secured to the under face of the screen 12. This form of support for the screen 12 permits the same to move freely in a lateral direction and also to be forced towards its supporting base. To strengthen the screen casing side beams 23 are secured to the side walls 13 and may be rigidly fastened to the transversely extending bars 22 by straps 24:. -The operating means for forcing the screen or separator 12 towards the supporting base, and then. releasing it to spring upwardly under the action of the compressed springs 21, may be variously constructed, and in the construction shown comprises anchoring cables 25 preferably provided at each side of the screen 12, near the upper or material receiving end of the screen, and one end of each cable is rigidly secured to the screen by a clamp 26 conveniently secured to the outer face of the beam 23 and the opposite end of each cable 25 is rigidly secured to a post or other form of anchoring means 27 secured to each longitudinally extending beam 10 and the cable may be fastened to the post 27 by the clamp 28. The arrangement is such that the cables 25 extend in a diagonal direction between the screen 12 and supporting base, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The cables 25 serve to limit the movement of the screen 12 in the direction of its lengthv under the pull of the operating cables to be described, and pre vent the weight of the screen from moving the same in the direction of its length when it is supported at a steep inclination, as shown in Fig. 3.

Near the opposite or materialdischarge end of the screen 12 are provided the operating cables 29. These cables preferably are provided at each side of the screen and have one end secured to the screen by the clamp 30, which is fastened to the beam 23, and the other end of each cable is adjustably secured to the supporting base by means of a threaded bolt 31 which bolt passes thru an eye in the bracket 32 and may be secured in different positions of adjustment by the nuts 33. The cables 29, like the cables 25, extend in a diagonal direction from the frame 12 towards the supporting frame, the arrangement being such that as a pull is exerted upon the cables 29 the opposite inclination of the cables 25 and 29 causes the screen 12 to move downwardly towards the supporting base, thus compressing the springs 21, and as the cables 29 are slac-ked off, the screen is forced upwardly under the action of the compressed springs 21, thus imparting an upthrow to the materials being treated.

The means disclosed for tensioning and slacking off the cables 29 consists of eccentrics provided upon the transversely extending shaft 34. One eccentric might be provided at each end of the shaft 34, but in the present case two angularly disposed eccentrics 36 and 37 are provided at each end of the shaft 34 for a purpose to be described. The operating eccentrics do not directly engage the cables 29, but sheaves 38 are rotatably mounted upon the eccentrics and'are provided with cable receiving grooves. This construction is desirable to avoid the wear which would occur if the rotating eccentrics acted directly against the cables, and, in order to reduce to a minimum the friction between the operating parts, antifriction bearings 39 are provided between the eccentrics and sheaves mounted thereupon. in the present construction, as best shown in Fig. 4, the eccentrics 36 and 37 are formed integral with their shaft 34. These eccentrics are disposed at an angleto each other, in the present case the angle being 130 degrees, and are separated by an integral shoulder .40. Two anti-friction bearing rings 37 of well known construction may be provided upon each eccentric, and these rings may be held in spaced relation by the collar 41. The outer rings of the anti-friction bearings 37 fit snugly within the central bore of the sheaves 38 and may be confined therein by an integral flange 42 at one. side of each sheave, and a removable ring 43 secured to the opposite side of each sheave. A ring 44 loosely mounted upon the shoulder 40 may be provided as a spacer between the two sheaves and the outer sheave is secured upon its eccentric 37 by a nut 45 having threaded engagement with the end 46 of the sheave, and may be fastened in the desired position of adjustment by a cotter-pin 47. The inner sheave 38 is retained in place upon the eccentric 36 by a nut 48 engaging the threaded portion 49 of the shaft, and may be secured in the desired position of adjustment by a set screw 50. As a result of the construction just described, the eccentrics 36 and 37 will rotate freely within the sheaves 38 to force these sheaves towards and from the cable tightening position, without causing the sheaves to rotate relative to the operating cables 29. Since an integral shoulder 40 is provided between the two eccentrics the anti-friction bearings upon the-eccentric 36 cannot be moved into position over the outer end of the shaft. It is therefore desirable to form the shaft 34 in two parts, the inner ends of which are secured together by the coupling 51. This construction permits the anti-friction bearing rings to be introduced over the inner end of each shaft'and then moved into place upon the eccentric 36.

In operating the screen 12, it is desirable to exert an operating pull upon first one side of the screen and then the other, as this will tend to toss the particles being treated transversely of the screen and will promote the screening operation. This is readily accomplished by arranging the eccentrics at the opposite ends of the shaft in angular relation to each other; for ,xample, the eccentric 36 at one side of the screen may be disposed at an angleof 90 degrees to the eccentric 36 at theopposite side, and likewise one eccentric 37 may be disposed at an angle of 90 degreesto the other eccentric 37. It will therefore be seen that all four eccentrics are out of angular alinement with each other, as best shown in Fig. 5, so that during one complete rotation of the shaft 34: four successive impulses are imparted to the screen 12, two upon one side and two upon the other, it being understood that when two eccentrics are provided at each side of the screen, as shown, two cables are also provided, one for each eccentric sheave.

The object of providing two angularly disposed eccentrics at each side of the screen or separator to be operated is to impart a movement to the screen or separator which is more snappy than could be obtained by a single eccentric; that is, the use of two angularly disposed eccentrics causes each eccentric to modify the action of the other, with the result that while one cable is being slacked off and the screen 12 is permitted by this slack cable to move away from its supporting base under the action of the springs 21, the other cable at the same side of the screen will be suddenly drawn taut by its eccentric, to impart a sudden pull to the screen. This not only increases the number of pulls or vibrations imparted to the screen 12 during a complete rotation of the shaft 34, but, what is more important, the impulses imparted to the screen are much more sudden and energetic than can be obtained by the use of a single eccentric.

The eccentric shaft 34 may be driven from the main shaft 52, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as journaled in bearings 53 secured to the base of timbers 54. This shaft may be driven by a pulley 55 and power may be transmitted from the shaft 52 to the shaft 3 1 by a belt 56. It may be desirable to vary the inclination at which the screen or separator 12 is supported, and to this end in Figs. 1 and 2 the supporting base is shown as provided with bearing plates 56 which are rockingly mounted upon fulcrums upon the shaft bearings 53. The supporting base may be raised or lowered by rotating the hand wheel 57 to operate the adjusting screw 58, and the supporting base may be secured to the timbers 54 in the desired position of adjustment by providing the supporting base with the downwardly extending arms 59 having a series of holes 60 thru which a bolt may be inserted into the bolt-receiving bracket 61. It will be understood that altho the base timbers 54 are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as in a horizontal position this is done merely as an expedient in placing the two views upon a single sheet of paper, and it will be apparent that the beams 54 may be mounted at any desired inclination.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, the operation is the same as that in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the supporting base 62 is mounted at approximately a 15-degree angle and to this end the lower end of the frame 62 is pivotally secured to the supporting base or beam 63, as at 64, and the base 62 is supported at the desired inclined position by the adjustable braces extending from the beam 63 to the upper end of the base 62. The braces 65 preferably consist of slotted, overlapping bars which may be clamped in the desired position of adjustment by tightening a bolt, 66.

Upon observing Figs. 1 and 3 it will be understood that as the screen 12 moves towards the supporting base it will not travel along a path extending at right angles to the supporting base, but will move in the path of an are defined by the movement of the screen-engaging ends of the cables 25; that is, as the inclined cables 25 approach a position which is parallel to the supporting base, they permit a slight movement of the screen longitudinally of the base. This further modifies the movement imparted to the supporting screen and promotes separation of the materials. When the screen is supported at a steep angle, as shown in Fig. 3, the movement of the screen in the path of the are just mentioned, under the action of the springs 21, imparts an upthrow movement to the materials, thus tossing the particles upwardly slightly in approximately a vertical direction, which to some extent promotes retreatment of these materials. If desired one or more springs 67, one end of which is anchored to the screen 12, the other end is secured to the supporting base, may be provided to help pull the screen 12 in an upward direction in opposition to the eccentrics. If desired, springs 68 may be provided to hold the supporting base of Figs. 1 and 2 on the pivotal support.

What is claimed is 1. A separator for treating materials comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a frame, springs for supporting the frame from the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, an anchoring cable secured to and extending in a diagonal di rection between the base and frame, anopcrating cable secured to the frame and extending in a diagonal direction toward the base, and means for alternately tensioning and slacking off the operating cable to pull the frame toward the base and then release it to rise under the action of the springs.

2. A separator for treating materials, comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, an anchoring cable secured to the base and frame and extending in a diagonal direction from one toward the other, an operating cable secured to the frame and extending in an opposite diagonal direction tothe anchoring cable, and means for alternately tensioning and slacking off the operating cable to pull the frame toward the base and then release it to spring away from the base under the action. of said yielding means.

3. A separator for treating materials comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, an anchoringcable secured to the base and frame and extending in a diagonal direction to restrict the movement of the frame to an are defined by the end of the cable secured to the frame, an operating member secured to the frame to extend in a diagonal direction toward the base, and means for alternately pulling the operating member and slacking it off to pull the frame toward the base and then release it to spring away from the base under the action of said yielding means.

4c. A separator for treating materials comprising in combination, a supporting base, a frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, an anchoring cable secured to the base and frame and extendlng m an inclined direction between them, an operating cable secured to the frame and extending in aninclined direction toward the base, and an eccentric for operating the last mentioned cable alternatelyto tension it and slack it off to pull the frame toward the base and longitudinally thereof and then release the frame to move away from the base.

5. A separator for treating materials comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a relatively wide frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, anchoring cables secured to the opposite sides of the frame and extending diagonally toward the base to which they are anchored, operating cables secured to the oppositesides of the frame and extending in an inclined direction toward the base, and means for alternately tensioning and slacking 0d the operating cables to pull the frame toward the base and then release it to spring away from the base under the action of said yielding means.

6. A separator for treating materials comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, anchoring cables secured to the opposite sides of the frame and extending in an inclined direction toward the base to which they are anchored, operating cables secured to opposite sides of the frame and extending in an inclined direction toward the base, and eccentrics one for each operatcableto tension and slack off the cables to pull the frame toward thebase and then release it to move away from the base and the eccentrics being angularly disposed to sides of the base, and means operated by said eccentrics to pull the frame toward said base and then release it to move away from the base under the action of its yielding support.

8. A separator for treating materials comrising, in combination, a supporting base, frame yieldingly supported-upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, eccentrics disposedat the opposite sides of the base to rotate in OutOf-step relation, and means operated by said eccentrics to pull first one side of the frame and then the other toward said base and to release first one side and then the other to vibrate the opposite sides of the frame in different timed relation.

9. A separator for treating materials comprising, in combination, a supporting base, a frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, a pair of eccentrics positioned adjacent each other in angularly disposed re lation to operate said frame and arranged so that each eccentric modifies the action of the other, and connections between the frame and eccentrics for moving the frame toward the base and then releasing it to move away from the base with vibratory effect.

10. A separator for treating materials, comprising in combination, a supporting base, a frame yieldingly supported upon the base for vibratory movement toward and from the base, a pair of eccentrics positioned acjacent each other in angularly disposed relation at one side of the base, a second pair of eccentrics positioned adjacent each other in angularly disposed relation at the opposite side of the base, and means connected to the frame and operated by the angularly disposed eccentrics to pull the frame toward the supporting base and then release it with vibratory effect.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT H. STEBBINS. 

